Two emergency response vehicles left from the American Red Cross office on Lupin Drive. Leonard Davis of Santa Cruz, Jon Hammond of Martinez, Devinder Khanna of Watsonville and Howard Yancey of Felton were on their way to Prescott, Ariz., to join hundreds of other volunteers.

Firefighting crews have made significant progress on the fires, doubling their containment numbers Thursday. Some nearby residents were allowed to go home, but people in Yarnell faced a mandatory evacuation order.

“Those who are staying in the homes, waiting for instructions possibly, they don’t have food or electricity to look after food in the fridges,” Khanna said.

Volunteers will help feed people, among other duties. They plan to be in Arizona for two or three weeks.